by Jacqui Rose
‘Sal, why don’t we sort this out tomorrow? We’re celebrating. We’ve all had a good year. Put the gun away. Cabhan was only calling Franny and Alfie. That’s all. Nessun danno fatto. No harm done … Good? Bene?’ Bobby kissed his brother on both cheeks. ‘Bene?’
Salvatore, stared at Bobby, slowly nodding, his face showing a thousand thoughts. He answered slowly. ‘Si. Bene.’
A grin spread across Bobby’s pockmarked face, the handsome Russo genes not having passed down to him. ‘That’s right, Sal. All good. No harm! Nessun problema. No problem!’ He broke his hold, grinning at the guests. ‘Nothing to see here, ladies and gentlemen! Please, continue to enjoy, we’ve talked business too long. Now we celebrate.’
Helping Cabhan to his feet, Salvatore slapped him hard on the back as he pulled out a gold cigarette case from his pocket. He snapped it open, revealing several grams of finely cut up cocaine along with an engraved toot. ‘Have a line with me, Cabhan.’
‘No, I’m fine.’
The ice ran back into Salvatore’s words. ‘I said, have one.’
Cabhan, realising he had no other choice, took the toot, bending over the cigarette case as Salvatore watched him snort a line.
‘Again … Have another.’
It was just a glance from Cabhan, a slight hesitation, but enough for Salvatore to again think to himself how he didn’t trust Cabhan’s motives anymore.
‘Cabhan!’ Alexandra Russo, Salvatore’s, spoilt, seventeen- year-old niece, shouted loudly as she swayed her curvaceous body down the stairs.
‘Cabhan, I want a lift home, I’m tired! In fact give me the fucking keys, I’ll drive, and you can keep me company.’
Looking at Alexandra, Cabhan hid his disdain whilst attempting to sound courteous. ‘Ally, I’m happy to take you home, you know I am, but it’s probably best if I drive.’
Ally licked her lips seductively before her face screwed up in anger. She poked Cabhan hard in his chest. ‘Don’t ever try to fucking tell me what’s best, especially in public, or I might have to get Uncle Sal to teach you about respect. Capisci?’
Evenly, Cabhan answered, remembering the last occasion Salvatore on Alexandra’s orders had paid him a visit to remind him of the Russos’ definition of respect. That particular visit had landed him two weeks in the lower Manhattan hospital. ‘Oh I understand, Ally. You’ve made your point very clear … as you always do.’
A large smile spread across Ally’s face. ‘Then what are we waiting for, let’s go.’
And as Salvatore Russo watched them drive away, he smiled to himself, because although he’d been outvoted by the rest of the Russo family on permanently disposing of Cabhan, he was sure, once he’d spoken to Nico, that might change. After all, Cabhan had been privy to the family business and there was no guarantee he wouldn’t start shooting his mouth off once he’d left. And the one certainty about dead men was that they couldn’t talk.
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About the Author
Jacqui Rose is a novelist who hails from South Yorkshire. She first came to appreciate the power of the written word when as a child she charged her classmates a packet of sherbet dips to write their essays for them. Adopted at a young age and always a daydreamer, she felt isolated growing up in a small mining village and it was her writing which kept her company. Jacqui has always written for pleasure whether it be screenplays or stand-up. She is the author of six bestselling novels as well as the author of two political thrillers written under a male pseudonym. She is a keen equestrian and the owner of two horses and spends most days riding.
Also by Jacqui Rose
Taken
Trapped
Dishonour
Betrayed
Avenged
Disobey
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